Book VS Film

For the first time ever, I can't decide whether I love a book or a film adapted from the book  more... this probably goes against reader conscience. But it's true. This 424 page book that I finished reading within record time in my opinion is a great read and so is the film. PS I Love You is a brilliant work of fiction and I must say Cecelia Ahern as well as the producers of this film did a great job. That said, I felt cheated...The plot of the movie was quite different from the original book and could have passed for just a really good fictional film instead of an adaptation of the book. Let me explain why.

If you watched this film before you read the book you must have had one of two feelings about it;that you couldn't help but compare the two and felt that the film or the book made either look bad. If you're the opposite and read the book before watching the film then you were either highly disappointed by its adaptation or just happy that the movie was really good. I fall in the first category. I had several moments of disappointment when I read the book and realised so much had been left out of the movie or just completely replaced. So after reading the book. I did what I do with a good movie that deserved my attention..I re-watched the film. And it was great! I realised I needed to just not think of the movie as an adaptation but on its own. And the book, well, I loved the plot so much I might re-read it one day. :)

PS I Love You the book is a great read. Cecelia Ahern's first book and already adapted into film. Beginner's luck maybe? Still, I loved the story. It's one of those bitter sweet stories I love so much despite the fact that such a good main character had to 'die' to make it really good. The plot is based on two main characters; Holly the just widowed 30 year old trying to come to terms with her husband's death and Gerry; the deceased who is so 'alive' in the book. Gerry, who dies of brain tumor in February decides that he will help his wife get through life after him by writing ten letters to be opened every month of the rest of the year. So from March to December, Gerry gives Holly a 'List' of things to do to get through. I must say, this was brilliant. Creepy but brilliant. Holly follows each instruction to the letter (pun not intended) and with the help of her best friend Sharon (I love her character obviously) and her husband John; who was Gerry's best friend she gets through one day at a time. Other characters such as Holly's family especially her mother, her other best friend Denise and Daniel her new friend make this book so much richer.

PS I Love You the film is great too. Despite the variations (you would have to have watched the film to understand this), it's awesome. I especially like the way the movie begins with them arguing showing that this was a 'real life' couple. The Irish funeral they had for Gerry (Gerard Butler) was also quite extraordinary. Holly played by Hillary Swank could not have been a better role as widow. The introduction of William played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan into the film is also refreshing giving the feel of moving on for Holly. Sharon (Gina Gershon) and Denise's characters also add a flair to the movie. Denise (Lisa Kudrow) played as the wild friend who finally settles down and gets married and Sharon the supportive friend who is expecting a son to be named after Gerry shows that life does move on after loss. Her mother played by Kathy Bates is a great addition to the film as the one Holly can always depend on. And finally, Daniel (Harry Connick Jr) the friend who like her is trying to move on from a heart break helps make this film more relatable.

In the end, I still don't know which I like better and it doesn't matter anyway. I highly recommend you read the book or watch its film. Only be careful not to have too many expectations of both the book and the film and regard them as separate works of fiction for a better feel. Also, the lessons on battling grief are played out well and am sure have helped a number. So, grab a copy or sit back and watch the film.
PS, for the ladies...Be Prepared to Fall In Love With Gerry.
Both in book and film. :)

Unexpected

Today I skip tradition. Its been two weeks since I posted anything up and I actually really want to tell you about this book I've finished reading just about a week ago. If you know David Baldacci or have read his books, you know that he is good at what he does. And what he does is write one of the best works of fiction I have ever read based mostly on politics, mystery and well, death. Most of his books are in series and it would be difficult not to want to read one after another. I had read three of David's books before this one and was astounded by the difference in genre. This book,'One Summer' did not have politics or mystery but it did have death and probably a little mystery or if you prefer...a life-changing miracle.

One Summer is one of those books that you pause a lot just to take in the whole scenario. You're even tempted to feel some injustice at play. You end up being so attached to characters you forget its fiction. Actually, if you've watched a movie on a family almost at the verge of a breakdown when a parent or even both parents die in an accident and the kids end up either falling into their parent's role(s) or go through through life with so much difficulty..you will immediately connect with this book. Ladies, you might need to get out your tissues. Let me introduce you to the Armstrong family.

Jack Armstrong is loving husband to Lizzie and father of three; Mikki (the moody teenager), Cory (the middle sweet child) and little Jackie (cute three year old). A military man and a war veteran, he had escaped death several times, only to have it knock on his door in the name of terminal illness. With just weeks to live, Jack decides to cherish the few moments he has with his family and promises Lizzie to stay on till Christmas. He writes letters to her so she can read them when he's gone. Only that's not how things happen. Like a twisted movie, Lizzie dies Christmas Eve in a grizzly road accident survived by a dying husband and three shaken kids. Honestly, if this was a movie I'd be crying buckets...wondering why the world is a cruel place then convincing myself its just a movie, its just a book...but is it really? Surely we know someone whose been through an equal or worse tragedy than this... It isn't however this part of the book that striked me, it's the next.

Jack felt cheated. Life had cheated him out of dying. Well, that is dying before his wife. He had thought he would go and Lizzie would move on, find another man to be with and raise the kids. But life ripped that page right out. Now here he was dying and there's nothing that could bring his family back together again. Arrangements were made for his kids to be sent to live with relatives. Another tragedy...his family torn apart and there was nothing he could do. At this point dear readers, I have to tell you. I have a feeling David wanted to imply that the Lord was at work in Jack's life but that would introduce the whole concept of God wouldn't it. Still, am convinced that if this were a real life story...I'd say it was definitely God at work. So, Jack got his miracle. Somehow, and weird enough, Jack began to heal. I know right? The man was dying! This was clearly a man who did not want to lose his family so hope triumphed science and he lived. And soon enough, he was able to go get his kids and become a family again. From here on, its a bitter sweet story with the Armstrong's trying to rebuild their life and we see this happen one summer in South Carolina on a beach side property owned by Lizzie's granny but now passed on to Jack and his kids. It is here that they come to heal and find purpose in life after Lizzie.

I have to say dear readers, I could not possibly tell you everything that happened in this book.What I can however do is make you see the unexpectedness that David so very nicely displays here. Kind of a life lesson...you never know how life goes so live every day as if its your last. Cherish your family. Create memories. And so many more that David showed us through this family. It's my hope that if you get your hands on this particular read, that you will learn that in the face of tragedy, there's despair but hope like sunshine comes new every morning. Now isn't that great? :)